By Lisa Vernon-Sparks
COVENTRY — For local nature lovers, there is an open trail leading to the best hiking spots close to home.
The town Recreation Department is hosting its second-annual fall hiking series — guided nature walks through some of the community’s most pristine woods, parks and conservation areas.
The program is a part of a larger effort sponsored by the Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island to promote use of the state’s bike paths and trails. So far, fall hikes have been hosted in communities including Westerly, Lincoln, Pawtucket, Smithfield and South Kingstown.
In Coventry, the walks have been given in September every Sunday beginning at dusk, rain or shine. The hikes are free of charge, and are led by Recreation Director Guy L. Lefebvre. During the hikes, he discusses the background of the sites, how the town acquired those properties or conservation rights, how the property is maintained and being developed.
The hikes originate at the Coventry Community Center beginning at 5:45 p.m., when a bus departs for the site, and last about 1 1/2 hours. Lefebvre asks that everyone arrive at least 15 minutes earlier.
The next two trips this month include a hike this Sunday through the Neylon Conservation Area and the Coventry Greenway-Trestle Trail Path; the following Sunday, Sept. 28, will feature a walk through Foster Memorial Park followed by an evening stroll around Breezy Lake.
This is the second year the town has hosted the hikes. Last fall, the program drew about 25 participants. Lefebvre said the town is considering extending the series by a week, depending on interest.
“Our purpose is to advise people of what is out there close to home … what is available…and how to get in and get out of the trails. You have an opportunity for bird watching, getting some fresh air and learning about something in your community,” Lefebvre said. “It’s an education thing. Most often we find it’s certainly an eye opener for people.”
This Sunday’s walk along the Coventry-Greenway Trestle Trail, on Hill Farm Road, en route to the Neylon Property, will offer an update on the state Department of Environmental Management’s project to transform the gravel paths into bicycle and equestrian trails. The Neylon site is an 81-acre parcel owned by Gerald P. and Janice Neylon that surrounds the western side of Stump Pond near Whaley Hollow Road.
The town’s Land Trust acquired development rights to the Neylon property last year. The area is dominated by oak trees, blueberry bushes, trembling aspen, gray birch and red cedar. Marbled salamanders, box turtles and a family of bald eagles have been sighted there.
The following week, the hiking tours will take place in Foster Memorial Park, an 86-acre conservation parcel with lots of glacier deposits. This tour ends with a stroll to Breezy Lake, which is near Knotty Oak Road.
Hikers are encouraged to register at the recreation department by calling (401) 822-9107 in advance to reserve a seat on the bus, but it’s not required.
Coventry [email protected] / (401) 277-7156
Originally published by Lisa Vernon-Sparks, Journal Staff Writer.
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